U18 REPORT: Leyton Orient 0-5 Southend United

Orient see two goals disallowed as Southend run out five goal vicors at Whitbreads Sports Ground on Saturday morning.

Orient will have a sour taste in their mouth following a heavy defeat to Southend United. Jaedon Phillips and Charles Clayden both had the ball in the net, but Phillips’ goal was ruled out for an extremely soft foul, while Clayden was adjudged to be in an offside position

A wet and windy day at the Whitbreads started quickly, with United warning the O’s of their ability. Rhys Byrne had to be on his toes to make a good save from a 1v1 scenario, while only minutes later their forward dragged a golden opportunity wide when he should have scored.

The away side scored two before halftime, the first was an easy tap in for John Benton following a stop from 'keeper Byrne and then the number 8 scored his second with a gorgeous free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards.

Orient were weary in the first half but looked a completely different side in the opening stages of the second half.

The men in red looked to have pulled a goal back when Phillips headed home a Clayden corner. The referee controversially disallowed the goal, claiming the forward had backed into the Keeper.

The home bench were furious with the decision and right fully so. This would have closed the gap to one goal and gave Orient the chance to comeback.

Things worsened for the O's, when the Seasider’s added their third after 59 minute, Charlie Kellman broke quickly down the pitch before squaring the ball for Freddie Eastwood to convert from a tight angle.

This didn’t knock the players too much as Orient continued to come forward. Clayden smacked the post after substitute Brain Ifani found the winger in the box.

Clayden then had the ball in the net, tapping in after Southend Goalkeeper Harry Seaden spilled a stinging volley from midfielder Ernold Haxhiu, but the winger was flagged offside.

Four minutes from time United added a fourth goal. Kellman slotted the ball into the bottom corner after being played through in behind the defence.

Matt Rush completed the scoring, weaving in and out on the left flank before he curled a beautiful effort across Byrne, and in off the post.

Orient will feel that should Jaedon Phillips disallowed goal had stood; the game may have ended differently. The O’s travel away to Gillingham this coming weekend and will be looking to pick up some points.